Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-21
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FORE GIN AZ
FAIRS MAKE AIRPORT
On the Presidents Message Regarding the
Dominion's. Constructions OF Treaty
StipuIations-Ketaliat Meas
ures Recomme ended.

WAsuGNGTON Jan. 1S.-Chairman Bel
mont of the House committee on foreign
affairs to-day submitted TO the House re-
port prepared by himself and unanimous
Ly endorsed by the committee on the pres
ident's message concerning the Canadian
fisheries and the reply of the secretary of
che treasury to the House resolution on
the same subject. The report says the
committee has made dligent inquiry into
The whole subject of the American fish
cries and is of the opinion that the right
ful area Of four American fisheries has
Deen reduced and the quantity of fish land
pci IN the United States free of duty has
been diminished by the conduct of the
iycal officers in Canada that their con
duct has been not only in violation of
treaty stipulation ana of International
comfy, but during the fishing season Just
passed has been inhuman, as the message
nj the president clearly establishes.
The committee says the Canadian inter
probation of the present legal effect of the
first article of the treaty of 1918
is so preposterOus in view of the
concerted laws of comfy and good
ueilhOorhood enacted by two coun-
tries that had it not been
formally put forth by the Dominion of
Usuada, it would not deserve serious con
sideratiou by intelligent persons. Tde
treaty of ISIS furnished no more excuse
Cor the exclusion of the deep sea fisher
men from any open port of the Dominion
1t Canada than for the exclusion by the
secretary of the treasury of deep sea fish
ermen from entering the port of New
York for ordinary purposes of commerce.
the exclusion if made must be justified
If at all for other reasons than any vet
given ny Canada.
Concerning the right to buy bait the
committee says: Your committee are
not aware of any Canadian or Newfound-
land law, which, having been approved
ty the British crown, forbids British sub
jects to sell ice or bait or anything else to
su American or to trade with him. If
shere be such u law then non-intercourse
Ias to that extent been proclaimed
AGAINST our countrymen. The com
nittee state it has arrived at
The following conclusions The treaties of
1888 and ISIS were made with the British
crown and with that crown alone can re
StrCtions, regulations. penalties and
measures be concerted by the United
States to enforce and guard their stipula
tians with the Dominion of Canada.
briet statement is inserted exhibiting
the legislation by British and Canadian
Parhaments on the subject of fisheries
from 1893 down to 1856, "When," says the
committee, "nearly half century after
signing the treaty, an otfense entirely
new in legislation was denounced in the
most general terms md punished by con
1iscation Of everything seized"
The report concludes as follows: A
very serious feature of this last
named legislation is that it has been APP
proved by the British crown and it pro
claims non-intercOurse IN Canada with
American fishery vessels for the genera
purposes of trade. To that alarming fea
ture your committee has given careful
consideration and is unanimously of tn,
opinion that if, and SO long as non-inter
course with the American fishing vessels
sfall be thus maintained in the ports OF
bays of the Dominion of Canada or New
EOundland, non-ntercOurse should bt
Immediately begun and maintained in on
ports against Canadian vessels. Thos,
vessels whether trading or fishing hav
within the meaning of the 18th sectlon o
the law of Congress of June 10, 1856, beef
placed on the same footing in our port
as our vessels, clearing or enter
ing as foreign" Canadian vessels ar
British vessels. The British crown
has denied to American fishing vessels
commercial privileges accorded to othe
national vessels in Canadian ports. Tn
mOtlVe ana purpose of such denia lhav
Deea openly and plainly avowed by Cana
Ia 70 be, first, the punishment of sucl
vessels because the United States levie
duty on Canadian fish not fresh 10
immediate consumption, such as the GOV
ernneut levies on all such fish, not produc
Of american fisheries and imported fror
any foreign place whatever; and second
ly. TO coerce the United States to eXemp
such Canadian fish from all custom
duties and to enter into other new reciprC
cal Customs relations with the Canada
Dominion. 1t is Il policy of threats All
coercion, which, in the opinion of you
committee, should be instantly and sun
maT.ly dealt with